Quarry LP Grows Stock Holdings in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS)

Quarry LP boosted its holdings in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS - Free Report) by 513.8% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 9,932 shares of the construction company's stock after purchasing an additional 8,314 shares during the quarter. Quarry LP's holdings in Masco were worth $721,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its position in Masco by 20.6% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 331,883 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $28,147,000 after purchasing an additional 56,626 shares during the period. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Masco by 6.6% during the fourth quarter. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 219,120 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $17,135,000 after buying an additional 13,568 shares during the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its position in shares of Masco by 69.1% during the fourth quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,544 shares of the construction company's stock worth $112,000 after acquiring an additional 631 shares in the last quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in Masco by 5,050.0% in the 4th quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. now owns 10,300 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $747,000 after acquiring an additional 10,100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Empower Advisory Group LLC boosted its stake in Masco by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Empower Advisory Group LLC now owns 1,016,079 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $73,737,000 after purchasing an additional 20,129 shares during the last quarter. 93.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Masco Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE MAS traded up $2.07 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $62.37. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,295,660 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,735,853. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.59, a P/E/G ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a current ratio of 1.75, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.74. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $66.99 and a 200 day moving average price of $74.36. Masco Co. has a one year low of $56.55 and a one year high of $86.70.

Masco (NYSE:MAS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The construction company reported $0.87 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.92 by ($0.05). The company had revenue of $1.80 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.84 billion. Masco had a return on equity of 838.32% and a net margin of 10.50%. Masco's revenue was down 6.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.93 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that Masco Co. will post 4.34 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Masco Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st were paid a dividend of $0.31 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 21st. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.99%. This is a boost from Masco's previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. Masco's payout ratio is currently 33.88%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Keith J. Allman sold 21,723 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.36, for a total transaction of $1,658,768.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 60,267 shares in the company, valued at $4,601,988.12. The trade was a 26.49 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, VP Renee Straber sold 3,139 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.78, for a total transaction of $225,317.42. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 33,027 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,370,678.06. This trade represents a 8.68 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.50% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently commented on the company. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on Masco from $64.00 to $62.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on Masco from $82.00 to $65.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 14th. Barclays set a $71.00 target price on shares of Masco and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Robert W. Baird cut their price target on shares of Masco from $72.00 to $70.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, UBS Group reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $80.00 price objective (down previously from $91.00) on shares of Masco in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Masco presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $73.10.

Masco Profile

Masco Corporation designs, manufactures, and distributes home improvement and building products in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company's Plumbing Products segment offers faucets, showerheads, handheld showers, valves, bath hardware and accessories, bathing units, shower bases and enclosures, sinks, toilets, acrylic tubs, shower trays, spas, exercise pools, and fitness systems; brass, copper, and composite plumbing system components; connected water products; thermoplastic solutions, extruded plastic profiles, specialized fabrications, and PEX tubing products; and other non-decorative plumbing products.